Help for businesses during COVID-19

Page contents:

NHS COVID19 app launches 24 September what businesses need to do to be ready

The new NHS COVID19 app will be available to download from 24 September. Certain types of businesses will shortly have a legal requirement to display a QR poster at their premises ready for the general public to scan from the 24 September.

  • Types of venues who will be legally obliged to display a QR poster are:
    • Hospitality – bars, restaurants, hotels, cafes
    • Tourism and Leisure – museums, galleries, gyms, leisure centres
    • Local authority buildings
    • Places of worship
    • Close contact services
    • Where an event is taking place in a physical location

Important information for businesses:-

Videos explaining the app and QR code requirement:-

Test and Trace and how to manage a possible COVID-19 outbreak

Test and Trace

To support the NHS Test and Trace service, it is vital that employers play their part by:

  • Following the latest government advice which explains how to work safely in a range of workplaces and situations
  • Ensuring employees get tested if they present any coronavirus symptoms
  • Encouraging employees to self-isolate if they have coronavirus symptoms or have been contacted by NHS Test and Trace
  • Supporting any employees who need to self-isolate. This will stop the spread in your workplace and community
  • Supporting staff to work from home if they feel able
  • Directing employees to the Government's advice about what will happen to their pay whilst isolating and to your own sickness procedures
  • If multiple cases of coronavirus appear in the workplace, employers should contact Surrey and Sussex's Health Protection teams to help manage the outbreak, by email - PHE.sshpu@nhs.net or telephone on 0344 225 3861 (option 3)
  • Sharing our communication resources with employees to ensure they are well-informed and know what to do if they have symptoms.

Detailed workplace guidance is available on the Government's website.

How to manage a possible outbreak

Public Health England has created action cards for a range of business types to help owners and managers to manage an outbreak. These are designed to be printed or downloaded to keep on-hand in your business or organisation.

Reporting outbreaks

Guidance for businesses and organisations on how to recognise, contain and report incidents of coronavirus is available on the gov.uk website.

19 June - New guidance on reopening businesses

Employers that want to reopen their business have a legal responsibility to protect their employees and other people on site. Use this guidance to help you carry out a risk assessment and make sensible adjustments to the site and workforce. Visit GOV.UK Business reopening.

Business Support

To find out how to access Coronavirus support for UK businesses and employees see GOV.UK Business Support.

In addition, for the latest Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for employees, employers and businesses please look at the information on GOV.UK, from Surrey Chambers of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses.

Growth Hubs

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is encouraging businesses across England to contact their local Growth Hub to gain free and impartial advice on local and national business support during the COVID-19 crisis. Surrey has two Growth Hubs for east and west Surrey businesses:

  • Coast to Capital Growth Hub – for businesses located in east Surrey (Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge)
  • Enterprise M3 Growth Hub - for businesses located in west Surrey (Elmbridge, Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Woking)

For further information about the Government announcement on support for businesses please contact your local district or borough council via their website link or email address below.

COVID-19 - Advice for event organisers on gatherings such as entertainment events

During the COVID-19 pandemic in England, if you are looking to organise a gathering of more than 30 people such as for an entertainment event, then you will need to comply with the latest coronavirus regulations.

When national restrictions are in place, gatherings of more of 30 people for activities such as entertainment, are not allowed. When national restrictions are lifted, Local COVID Alert Levels (Medium, High, Very High) will apply to local authority areas and entertainment events are allowed following strict guidelines.

Gov.uk published details of the current restrictions and we also publish our Local COVID Alert Levels.

Organised events, such as entertainment, for gatherings of more than 30 people will need to:

  • Be organised by a business, charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution, a public body, or a political body
  • Have a COVID-19 risk assessment
  • Have adequate COVID-19 secure arrangements in place following government guidance

Further guidance on risk assessments and COVID-19 secure arrangements are available from the Health and Safety Executive and the Events Industry Forum.

We are working closely with the eleven District and Borough Council's across Surrey who are the Licensing Authorities for many types of events. To help event organisers, a COVID-19 checklist for events (PDF) has been developed to guide you through the COVID-19 secure arrangements that need to be in place for events.

If you have any questions or need further advice please contact the relevant District and Borough Council for where you plan to hold the event.

Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards business advice service

Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards business advice service remains open. We have temporarily suspended the need to register for advice. Please just get in touch with us Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Tel 0300 123 2329 or email business.advice@surreycc.gov.uk

Finding answers to your questions

You may find answers to your questions quicker and more easily on our Coronavirus business advice page. On the page, both traders and consumers will find answers to most of the questions we are currently being asked about contracts, consumer rights, work cancellations, charges, deliveries, social distancing and much more.